[needle]

  In light of all that, according to PFF an OL #118 in pass blocking and #109 in run blocking. I can’t readily calculate where that would put our OL nationally but it’s certainly among the worst in the nation. In the Pac-12 the next worst blocking unit is Cal at #112 and #106.

And yet Kal is No. 46 nationally in points per play.

It is just wrong to imply or, has many hear have done, state with certainty that a subpar offensive line always means horrifically bad offensive production.

+++

The offense was awful all year (Colorado second half notwithstanding), but it has absolutely cratered in the month of November. 

There are factors to consider, including team health. But, on balance, I don't believe Stanford's offense has had to deal with crippling late season losses in personnel relative to what other teams have experienced. Last year, we saw a Stanford team without any running backs and also without its clear No. 1 receiver, and the results were abysmal. There is not a similar injury excuse for this 2023 team, if you ask me.

You also have to consider the opponent. Yes, Stanford has played a brutal schedule, but only a few of those teams on the schedule have fearsome defenses. Two opponents are top ten: UCLA and Oregon. I don't fault TT or anyone for the meager offensive production in those games (Stanford's offense in the first quarter against Oregon was actually quite impressive). 

But look at the last three opponents, ranked by opponent points per play:  WSU, No. 76; Oregon State, No. 39; Kal, No. 123. These are not great defenses! Yet the Stanford offense has looked historically bad. 

If it isn't health and it isn't the opponent, I think you know where I'm looking. There is one game left. If Stanford even scores one touchdown, I will be surprised. It hasn't been proven beyond a shadow of a doubt, but I suspect it will be soon enough: Taylor does not know what the hell he's doing on offense.

[needle]

  In light of all that, according to PFF an OL #118 in pass blocking and #109 in run blocking. I can’t readily calculate where that would put our OL nationally but it’s certainly among the worst in the nation. In the Pac-12 the next worst blocking unit is Cal at #112 and #106.

And yet Kal is No. 46 nationally in points per play.

It is just wrong to imply or, has many hear have done, state with certainty that a subpar offensive line always means horrifically bad offensive production.

+++

The offense was awful all year (Colorado second half notwithstanding), but it has absolutely cratered in the month of November. 

There are factors to consider, including team health. But, on balance, I don't believe Stanford's offense has had to deal with crippling late season losses in personnel relative to what other teams have experienced. Last year, we saw a Stanford team without any running backs and also without its clear No. 1 receiver, and the results were abysmal. There is not a similar injury excuse for this 2023 team, if you ask me.

You also have to consider the opponent. Yes, Stanford has played a brutal schedule, but only a few of those teams on the schedule have fearsome defenses. Two opponents are top ten: UCLA and Oregon. I don't fault TT or anyone for the meager offensive production in those games (Stanford's offense in the first quarter against Oregon was actually quite impressive). 

But look at the last three opponents, ranked by opponent points per play:  WSU, No. 76; Oregon State, No. 39; Kal, No. 123. These are not great defenses! Yet the Stanford offense has looked historically bad. 

If it isn't health and it isn't the opponent, I think you know where I'm looking. There is one game left. If Stanford even scores one touchdown, I will be surprised. It hasn't been proven beyond a shadow of a doubt, but I suspect it will be soon enough: Taylor does not know what the hell he's doing on offense.